Sign up for our special edition newsletter to get a daily update on the coronavirus pandemic.Legendary NFL kicker Adam Vinatieri is determined to return for a 25th season, but the coronavirus pandemic may be an obstacle.
NFL Network reported Wednesday that the 47-year-old free agent has expressed interest in playing this season, whenever it may begin. However, being quarantined at home has slowed down his rehab from the season-ending knee surgery.
Vinatieri, who has been with the Colts for the past 14 seasons, isn’t sure if he’ll be healed by the start of next season, according to the report.
The four-time Super Bowl winner went undrafted out of South Dakota State University in 1996 before the Patriots signed him to a $131,000 contract. He played in New England for the first 10 years of his NFL career, appearing in four Super Bowls and winning three titles.
He kicked the game-winning field goal in Super Bowl XXXVI to lift the Patriots over the Rams for the franchise’s first championship.
After the 2005 season, the Patriots chose not to place the franchise tag on Vinatieri as they had the year before. He then signed with the Colts in March 2006, and won another Super Bowl in Indianapolis.
Last season, Vinatieri became Indianapolis’ all-time leader in field goal attempts but struggled with what he called “demons” after missing a series of kicks to begin the season.
There was speculation he would retire at the time, but instead went on the injured reserve in December. He finished the season 17-for-25 in field goals.
Vinatieri has made $51 million between the Patriots and Colts.
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